Sound:Art:Idea: Lives Of The Artists

I can only do my best, if I do what I can do best. I do best the things I believe in. Those things that make my heart beat faster, the things that don't let me sleep, but progress- first in mind, then setting plan to action. Follow the path that's been set and laid out in your heart, soul and mind. Only through this you'll be able to walk your own way and keep standing tall. Do not back down!



These were the thoughts that we're flushing through my head while watching "Live Of The Artists" by Relentless. In beautiful and breathtaking pictures it follows the lives of surfers, snowboarders and musicians, all artists in their own way, but most importantly: ON THEIR OWN TERMS! Featured are the snowboarder Xavier de le Rue in Greenland, the surfers Tom Lowe, Fergal Smith and Mickey Smith in Teahupoo, Tahiti and British punk band Gallows touring the U.S.



The intro sets the tone for the next 75 minutes and extracts the essence in the following words, as displayed in the picture:

'To be a poet, to be an artist, meant more than writing or painting or singing; it meant having a vision and courage to see that vision through, despite any opposition.

What didn't kill you made you stronger and if you had what it took you were rare and wonderous, and if you didn't it couldn't be faked'

- Danny Sugerman

"Live Of The Artists" also reminds and illustrates that this uncompromising way of life unites those who live for their art whether they surf,snowboard, paint, sing, act, build, play music or do whatever makes them free.
There's just nothing to prove, nothing to pretend, nobody to please...just following that one path and get a point across!

Enjoy this ode to freedom and art wrapped in stunning pictures and get blown (away) by the feeling! A huge Thank You! to RELENTLESS for making this movie available for free.

If there's just one more person turning to follow his or her beliefs the efforts creating this movie, writing those songs, surfing those waves and maybe even writing these lines made complete sense and a positive effect on the bigger picture.

Sound and art: Edge - the movie to a lifestyle

Soon the documentary "EDGE -perspectives on a drug free culture" will be released. Having grown up with Hardcore and Punk music I have also been in contact with the Straight Edge scene. It describes an approach to life without any drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or promiscuity. The scene received it's name from the song "Straight Edge" by the band Minor Threat released 28 years ago. Their singer Ian MacKaye is also featured in the movie opens some interesting perspectives on the issue.

I always had a lot of respect for this scene, even it wasn't my way. Still I always distinguished in between those who do it just for themselves and maybe tell about it and those who perceive themselves on a mission and believe that they have to convince the whole world. I perceive it as a personal decision and this is what it should stay in my opinion.

However, I defintely recommend to give this flick a try. I am sure it will provide some interesting perspectives and insights into an alternative approach to life which has definitely something to offer. Plus, a differentiated view on life and things is a MUST!!!!

Check the trailer for a first taste:

And definitely visit the hp for more interesting background information:

http://www.theedgeprojectmovie.com/

Sound: EL SISTEMA :Music makes a difference, beyond simple entertainment

Music is entertainment, at least that's what you see on TV. But music has a lot more to offer than nice sounds, a good time and distraction from your everyday business. It has an tremendous power to change and influence life as a whole. It's the soundtrack to lifestyles and attitudes. It can lift you up from the ground and make you invincible. You know the hardcore band H2O? Listen to their latest record "Nothing to Prove" where it says: "No matter how bumped out you are in life, music pulls you right back up and keeps you positive".

But I wanna tell of a movie, a documentary with this spirit: "El Sistema". About 30 years ago , musician, composer and politician José Antonio Abreu established a network of youth orchestras in Venezuela. The movie tells the story of music can help to forget or put aside the circumstances you're in. The network offers children classical music education from childhood on. Furthermore it is free of charge for families who just couldn't bear the cost. It's truly inspiring to see children and teenagers of all ages to tell what the music and their instrument means to them and how eager they're about their lessons. At the peak of the network stands the Simon Bolivar youth orchestra with its conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the highest goal of the ambitious students. Besides the interviews with students and teachers and insight views to the schools and the life of the children, it's the concerts of the orchestra which got me constant goosebumps from their drive and their fun playing music together.

Last words belong to the initiator, Josè Antonio Abreu: "In Venezuela the group of people benefiting from our work extends to some 250,000 young people and children. But that's just the beginning".

Go to selected cinemas, where they show that movie or download it from the internet, but watch it and feel that spirit!

Teasing you:

Before I forget. A little older but still relevant and transporting the spirit is "Rhythm is it!" A documentary about and orchestra and dance project in Berlin. The project brought together children and teenages from all social classes and was headed and conducted by world famous conductor Sir Simon Rattle and choreographer Royston Maldoom performing Stravinsky's "Sacre du Printemps". An inspiring must-see! I'm surely a horrible dancer, but still "You can change your life in a dance class!"